Ryan Garcia avoids serious injury after world title win as update and return date given

Ryan Garcia has avoided a broken hand after leaving his world title victory over Mario Barrios with severe swelling.

Garcia enjoyed the biggest night of his career earlier in February, dropping and dominating Mario Barrios to become world champion for the first time.

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Immediately after the bout, the newly crowned WBC welterweight king was in visible discomfort with his hand.

Upon removing his glove, Garcia showed off a badly swollen hand in what he and many suspected may be broken.

But according to boxing insider Mike Coppinger, the 27-year-old has escaped serious injury.

His advisor Guadalupe Valencia has informed Ring Magazine that he has just a ‘light sprain’ and no bone is broken.

As a result, it is hoped that the champion elect will be able to return to the ring again in July.

It was a fantastic moment for Garcia who has now set up a big end to 2026, having avoided a significant set back.

He will not be required to face Barrios in any rematch, so is free to pursue some of the surrounding division’s biggest names.

Who next for Garcia?

Garcia already has a mandatory challenger for the WBC belt he holds in the shape of British star Conor Benn.

But Benn is already tied down to a fight in April, a showdown with Regis Prograis at 150lbs.

A summer fight after July could then be likely, but the details of Benn’s future are currently uncertain given he signed a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

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However for Garcia it appears priorities could be elsewhere as his first call-out after victory was for a showdown with Shakur Stevenson.

Stevenson recently picked up the 140lbs WBO title after a sensational victory over Teofimo Lopez.

And now for the pound-for-pound ranked star, a huge fight with Garcia could well be a realistic option.

But he wants to ensure sufficient drug testing is in place, as well as a catchweight of 144lbs to accept the bout.

He said: “Was VADA involved in this fight? I saw him with Rolly he didn’t look like that. If he’s fighting me next, I’m all for the challenge but VADA will be involved.

“We’ll meet in the middle [144lbs]. Two big stars, we don’t need a belt for the fight.

“I think it’s a great fight to make. I’m in this for big fights. Me and Ryan would be an even bigger fight and would be a tremendous fight.

“I want to fight him and he want to fight me so it should be easy to get done. We’ve just got to make sure he’s on VADA and there’s no cheating involved.”